(I finally know what the name of this song is and what he was saying. Kept thinking Carnosaur for some reason.)

I’m writing this yesterday after the lawn mowing and feeling very sleepy. Ever notice that people start calling on the phone, asking you questions, or just interacting with you the moment you run out of energy? God forbid they show up when you’re awake and aware of your surroundings. A little space would be nice.

This week saw the release of Tribe of the Snow Tiger and Legends of Windemere Fantasy Bundle #2. The latter hasn’t sold anything this week, but it’s really there for anyone who wants to catch up for cheap. The former is the one I’m more concerned about and it’s inching along. All the marketing is set up and it was only the Men’s Adventures Top 100 lists for an hour. Really hope it debuts on a fantasy list, but things just aren’t selling like they used to. Probably because it’s far into a series, so I won’t have the same initial success. Not everyone has read the first 9 and many shy away from series that are longer than a trilogy. Downside to starting with this series, but it’s the one that sets the stage for everything else. I do like the lengthy stuff because it gives me a lot of space to do evolutions and multiple characters. Still, it would be nice if I could find a way to keep some momentum.

I finished writing Raven’s Game, which will be going up on the blog through October. 31 sections and 31 days. With that project done, I’ve been editing Book 13 in preparation of tackling Book 14. I’m still very nervous about 13 because of what’s going on. There’s a lot of traveling, which I had happen between scenes. The heroes are split into 2 to help with this, but there’s a lot that is going on. One of the toughest parts is that the champions aren’t acting like themselves. Without going into details, something in Book 12 did some major damage to them and they’re trying to move on with this wound. Some have broken confidences and are becoming numb. Others are lashing out to the point where they are no longer team players. It’s a big change from the previous books, which might be why I’m nervous. I keep thinking something is wrong, but maybe it’s supposed to be like that since they aren’t right in the head for this adventure.

Another challenge is that some of the action scenes are short. Again, I can’t go into details, but I have a few fights that I thought would last for a page or two. Yet, they’re only lasting for a few paragraphs. They’re detailed and to the point, but it’s like those involved simply don’t have the time for banter or prolonging the fight. Maybe that comes from the fact that the adventure involves battling against a deadline, so a lot of what the champions are doing requires getting it done quickly. Just a really different atmosphere than what I did before. Book 14 might be the same because it focuses on an adventure that goes alongside what the champions are doing, but still plays into the main storyline. A lot of experimentation at this stage in the game.

Beyond all of that, this week was a lot of maintaining the house and cooking. I’m slightly disappointed in myself because even with having the house to myself all day, I didn’t get any more work done than I usually do. Not sure if it’s because I had nobody around to help with other things or because I’m just worn down. All I know is that I have 180 pages to go on the edits, which I’d like to finish by Thursday. Once Friday hits, I lose the desktop and I’m back to working upstairs on the bed. Not a comfortable place, but I get paranoid if I work downstairs where other people are.

So, what’s the plan for the week?

Finish editing Ritual of the Lost Lamb.

Prepare posts for July.

Cooking, sleeping, and biking.

Watch movies with son since zoo trip was rained out again.

Car stuff.

Promote Tribe of the Snow Tiger as much as possible.

Should really finish the chapter outlines for Chasing Bedlam.

Write blurbs for Charms of the Feykin.

Consider living a more interesting life, but only when wearing pajamas and already in bed.

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About Charles Yallowitz

Charles E. Yallowitz was born, raised, and educated in New York. Then he spent a few years in Florida, realized his fear of alligators, and moved back to the Empire State. When he isn't working hard on his epic fantasy stories, Charles can be found cooking or going on whatever adventure his son has planned for the day. 'Legends of Windemere' is his first series, but it certainly won't be his last.

16 Responses to Fine. Let’s Call It A Draw

I get all of it. The world seems to be against me right now. I needed to work on 3 critiques, but the printer failed after two. I decided to work on 2, but have a house full of my daughter’s friends and a demanding puppy. It just feels like I can’t win, and critique group is tomorrow night after working a full shift. New words, or even reading, are a pipe dream.

I forgot about the printer chaos. We have one where the scanner broke, but it still prints. The power outage did something where it keeps asking to be realignment, which apparently requires a test of the scanner. Just a big headache even though I never print anything. Figured I had to try and fix it.

Tough one with the critique group. I say show up with puppy pictures to explain why you had delays. At the very least, the cuteness will distract them long enough to grab a free coffee and escape. 😀

I will get my critiques done. Don’t quite know how, but I can use the printer at the office as a last resort. They do a good job for me, and tell me when my guy is off his yak. I need to do the same for them.

For some reason, I’m not as fast as I used to be. Takes me a full day to edit 20-30 pages and that’s without distraction. Even writing, I can only pull off 2-3 sections a day instead of the 4-5 from my younger years. Getting old.

Great progress despite all. Being house bound was getting to me. Me and the RS started date night on Thursdays and promised ourselves at least one weekend getaway every two months. It’s really been liberating so far. Had a wonderful weekend on the water this past weekend. It’s fun to look through the local venues for one we might be able to afford for date night.

We keep trying to make weekend plans, but the last two attempts were rained out. This coming weekend is going to be the same. Swear we’ll get the kid to the zoo one day! I don’t really mind being house bound since I can get work done.